Florida attorney arrested for smuggling drug-soaked paperwork into county jail, police say

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Published  January 8, 2025 9:48am EST
FOX 35 Orlando

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The Brief

    • Nathan Williams, a criminal defense attorney in Jacksonville, Florida, was arrested over the weekend for allegedly using his professional access to smuggle drug-soaked papers into a county jail.
    • Police believe he worked with inmates and their families to smuggle the drug-laced legal paperwork into the jail for money.
    • His arrest was part of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office's "Operation Stamp Collection," a sting aimed at curbing the flow of illegal drugs into the local jail.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A Florida criminal defense attorney is accused of using his professional access to smuggle drug-soaked papers into a county jail, authorities said. 

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office arrested Nathan Williams, 37, on Sunday evening on serious felony charges, including conspiracy to introduce controlled substances into the jail and giving drugs to an inmate.

Authorities believe Williams worked with Duval County jail inmates and their families to smuggle the drug-laced legal paperwork into the jail in exchange for money.

Booking photo of Nathan Williams (Credit: Jacksonville Sheriff's Office)

The sheets were soaked with ADB-PINACA, a synthetic marijuana also known as "K2" or "Paper Dope," according to police.

Authorities said the arrest was part of their ongoing "Operation Stamp Collection," a sting aimed at curbing the flow of illegal drugs into the local jail.

Nathan Williams, a Florida criminal defense attorney, is accused of using his professional access to smuggle drug-soaked papers into a county jail, authorities said. (Credit: Jacksonville Sheriff's Office)
Nathan Williams, a Florida criminal defense attorney, is accused of using his professional access to smuggle drug-soaked papers into a county jail, authorities said. (Credit: Jacksonville Sheriff's Office)
Nathan Williams, a Florida criminal defense attorney, is accused of using his professional access to smuggle drug-soaked papers into a county jail, authorities said. (Credit: Jacksonville Sheriff's Office)

Since February 2024, at least 21 people have been arrested on charges related to smuggling or attempting to smuggle drugs into the facility.

The sheriff's office reported that the operation has led to a 61% reduction in overdoses at the local jail.

The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests are expected.

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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office on Jan. 7, 2025. 

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